Michael Bishop, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

Boston Dynamics Spot robot B69 with mounted sensors standing on a concrete path outside a modern industrial building

Tampa Police Department wants taxpayers to pay $2 million for new guns and a robot dog

St. Petersburg police purchased its robot dog with a private donation.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 23, 2026March 23, 2026

The Tampa Police Department is hoping to trade one K9 for another with a request this week to donate a German Shepherd named “Odus” to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office in Newton County, Missouri while requesting $213,257.14 for the “unmanned robot dog” Spot. Spot is the name for the German Shepherd-sized Boston Dynamics “agile mobile […]

Michael Bishop, founder of the Tampa Monitor, speaking into a studio microphone at WMNF 88.5 FM. The person has grey hair and a beard, wearing headphones and a dark blue jacket. The background features a corkboard with various posters, including one for The Beach Boys and an IMAX film.

Tampa Monitor is asking for help to finish building important reporting tools

It’s Sunshine Week, and the website helps all of us keep eyes and ears on Tampa City Council.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

"A map showing the proposed March 2026 Tampa City Council district boundaries as approved by the Hillsborough County Planning Commission. The map features four colored zones: green for West Tampa (District 6), blue for East Tampa and Downtown (District 5), red for South Tampa (District 4), and purple for North Tampa (District 7). The boundaries reflect the latest redistricting shifts over a grey and white street-level street map."

In City of Tampa redistricting, Planning Commission chooses ‘Alternative 2’

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

CityofTampa

Tampa Monitor: City Council to hear update to Land Development Code

There are 73 items on the agenda for Thursday, March 5.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

Aerial view of the Downtown Tampa skyline and the Hillsborough River on a clear, sunny day. The image shows high-rise office buildings, the University of Tampa, and a major highway interchange with cars crossing the river into the urban center.

Tampa Monitor: City Council to hold special call Fiscal Year 27 workshop on Tuesday

The open discussion lets the body discuss budget priorities ahead of the mayor’s presentation.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

Close-up of a RedSpeed speed and red-light enforcement camera mounted on a metal pole against a clear blue sky, showing the high-resolution lens and protective housing used for automated traffic enforcement.

Tampa City Council could vote to approve Flock-integrated speed cameras in school zones

Councilmembers say they are confident data wouldn’t be inappropriately shared.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

A wide shot of the Tampa City Council seated at a curved wooden dais during a morning workshop. Seven council members are visible behind the desk, with the City of Tampa seal and American and Florida flags centered on the wall behind them. A digital overlay in the corner identifies the meeting as a "Tampa City Council 9:00 a.m. Workshop" dated January 29, 2026.

Tampa Monitor: Council approves additional funding for South Howard Flood Relief project

The project’s future is still in doubt after councilmembers approved moving $21.5 million to the effort.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

A daytime street-level view of Rey Park in Tampa. The scene features a corner intersection with a yellow pedestrian crossing sign and a street sign for Howard and Cherry. Large, mature oak trees with hanging Spanish moss shade the park, which is enclosed by a black chain-link fence. In the background, park benches and a small white sign for the park are visible under a clear blue sky.

Tampa Monitor: City council could approve up to $5 million for parks in West Tampa and Gandy

Gandy & Palonis Park, and West Tampa’s Rey Park are up for discussion

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

An infrastructure map highlighting neighborhood relief zones near Hyde Park and the Palma Ceia Golf Course. Major roads like Howard Avenue, Armenia Avenue, and Bayshore Boulevard are labeled to provide context for a city flood mitigation project.

Tampa Monitor: City Council set to vote on ‘Resilient’ South Howard flood project this week

The $64+ million dollar project still hasn’t had a final design or price tag presented but council will be voting to approve an amended $10 million grant agreement Thursday.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor January 5, 2026January 6, 2026

An indoor shot of a formal induction or oath-taking ceremony. The primary subject, wearing glasses and gold jewelry, reads from a certificate while performing a traditional hand gesture of affirmation. In the background, an observer is partially visible holding a small digital camera to capture the moment.

Tampa City Council will honor master clerk Shirley Foxx-Knowles on Thursday

Knowles and Deputy City Clerk Suling Lucas-Harris lead a staff that keeps the city together.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor January 5, 2026January 5, 2026

Tampa Monitor: CRA and land use decisions include potential land for TGH facility in Ybor City

Tampa City Councilmembers, meeting as the CRA, will also vote on the CRA services agreement with the city.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

A close-up, low-angle view of the Tampa Police Department building. The exterior is composed of dark stone and reflective glass, with the American flag mounted on the right.

Tampa Monitor: Plan to sell downtown police headquarters is moving forward

The expected selling price is $36 million.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor December 6, 2025December 6, 2025

Low-angle view of the Tampa skyline, showing the historic City Hall building with its clock tower, contrasted against several taller, modern glass skyscrapers under a blue sky with white clouds.

Tampa Monitor: Back from break, council will vote on stormwater, TPD data sharing, and more

In total they will be approving over $90 million in spending.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

High aerial view of the downtown Tampa skyline, showing dense high-rise buildings along the Hillsborough River, which flows into Tampa Bay. Highways and urban development surround the central core.

Tampa Monitor: Council takes another step towards increasing multi-modal impact fees

The fees have not been increased since they were adopted in 1989.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

Group photo of six people, including a Black woman in a white blouse (Naya Young, center-right), standing in a city council chamber in front of the official City of Tampa seal and a wood-paneled wall.

Tampa Monitor: Tree trust fund, $350K for the ferry, and a $67 million question in front of city council this week

New Tampa City Councilwoman Naya Young will cast her first votes from the dais on Thursday, Nov. 6.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

View of downtown Tampa skyline centered on the historic City Hall building with its clock tower, flanked by much taller, modern glass skyscrapers, including the PNC Bank building.

Tampa Monitor: City attorney apologizes after proposing policy change that would’ve redefined neighborhood leaders as lobbyists

City Attorney Andrea Zelman said it was never her intent to infringe on the public’s ability to speak to their elected officials or the administration.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 27, 2025October 28, 2025

A severe flood scene where a wide residential street is completely submerged under a dark sheet of water mixed with debris and leaves. The water reflects the large trees and palm trees lining the sides of the street under a bright sky.

$4.1 million for South Tampa Howard Avenue flood relief project goes in front of city council this week

And to remind folks, we’re talking about every day summer afternoon thunderstorms flooding.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

A rendering of the Tampa Channelside District, showing a large white Ferris wheel structure, the abstract "Exploding Chicken" sculpture in a roundabout, and cruise ships docked at Port Tampa Bay.

Tampa Monitor: City council to discuss Channelside observation wheel, officially dissolve city’s Racial Reconciliation Committee, and more

Future land use updates, regulating pickleball, the ‘Tree Trust Fund,’ and more are also on the agenda.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

An aerial view of an urban landscape. In the foreground are lower-rise brick and stucco buildings with parking lots, while a major highway overpass separates this area from a dense city skyline with skyscrapers in the distance.

Citing extraordinary circumstances, Tampa City Council takes step towards raising mobility impact fees

The city of Tampa hasn’t increased the fees since they were put in place in 1989.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

A white General Motors police SUV with black trim and emergency lights on display at an auto show, featuring “POLICE” and “Emergency 911” markings on the side, surrounded by attendees in the background.

Tampa Monitor: Council to discuss 14 EV cop cars, budget adoption, more

Development agreements for infill lots owned by the city are also on the Sept. 18 agenda.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 15, 2025September 15, 2025